Soaking pool on Feb 25th
Halgolla Plantation Home
Accommodation of a different kind
– March 2014 –
February has proved to be a very bright, dry and hot month,
though our water supply has not reached anything resembling
crisis point, thanks to the work done over the last two years to
augment our spring water supply.
We’ve worked on the new walking trail which is an extension
of the “Ela Trail’. It starts from the drop off to the Soaking
Pool, goes up to the Cinnamon Patch and then connects to the
Plumbago Pit Path, which leads to the Vanilla planting and
then back to the house.
We’ve made a few non-intrusive improvements to the Soaking
Pool and these include a bamboo “pipe” under which visitors
can now “shower.” I even have a picture of yours truly
“christening” this new feature but, since this newsletter is
meant for family viewing, will resist the temptation of putting
it in, inserting, instead, a photo of the Soaking Pool with
myself and Natta in a contemplative mood!
Our first vanilla pods!
Incidentally, the drought we’ve
recently endured might well
have been the reason for the
additional number of vanilla
flowers that have blossomed and
which Mallika continues to
pollinate as a part of her daily
routine. Senevi is now her
understudy in this work and
Padma also appears to know
how to perform this essential
task
Our Durian crop is over as I write this and it seems that the
family that leased the trees for the season have done well with
the (off-season) crop and are looking forward to the crop that
is now promised by a new setting of flowers.
I haven’t been able to expand on the history of the van der
Poorten stained glass windows as promised in the last
newsletter because I am waiting for some fascinating
information of a stained glass window in a church in Australia,
allegedly bearing A. J. van der Poorten’s signature. My
grandfather originally intended to settle in Australia before
opting for Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) with his (Belgian) friend
Delay—the two of them married sisters from the Aluthnuwara
area (near Mawanella in the Sabaragamuwa Province), most
famous for its revered Devale.
However, I also said that I would relate some stories of the
Panichchankerni area of Sri Lanka’s east coast, so here goes!
From my high school days when my father and I “discovered”
this part of Sri Lanka’s East Coast, I had wanted to establish
some sort of holiday hideaway in the vicinity of what was then
Sri Lanka’s best-kept secret, Challitivu Island and its
incredibly beautiful and accessible coral reef. We ultimately
did and my daughter, Michele, now past the half-century
mark, took her first tentative steps on the beach there.
Alas, the effort to establish a semi-commercial operation did
not bear (financial) fruit, but we had some truly enjoyable
times at Chenaikudah Wadi with friends and family until our
departure for Canada in 1973. A recent visit to the area was
something of a disappointment—the war, the tsunami, and
now uncontrolled development have reduced a once
picturesque place to a somewhat pale reminder of its former
glory. However, all is not lost because it would take more than
a few short-sighted “developers” to ruin nature’s bounty and I
am informed that the coral reef is still in fine fettle and the
white sand beaches are still among the loveliest in Sri Lanka.
Warm wishes!
Arlene & Emil
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
For information or to book your accommodation, check our website www.halgollaplantationhome.com or
contact Emil van der Poorten: [email protected] or by phone: 94-77-347-0702 or 94-72-284-9770
For the month of March,
each visiting group will receive
what has become a trademark
of HPH hospitality, the complimentary
“Surprise Basket” of HPH “goodies.”
The Panavitiya Ambalama is also built entirely of timber. It
has been renovated and restored by the Department of
Archeology and each wooden piece is intricately carved
including the rafters.
In addition,
25% off on any 4-day booking
made for the month of March
Daytrips from HPH
The following is the third of a continuing series on suggested
day trips from HPH to lesser-known places of interest. (Last
month we featured Yapahuwa).
Panavitiya ambalama and
Karagahagedera ambalama
Ambalamas are unique structures in Sri Lanka—they are
resting places that offer free shelter and water for travellers.
Typically they are open structures with a sloped tiled roof on
columns of timber or masonry. The walls are short and wide
so that one could sit on them. They were first built in the days
when travel was by foot or bullock-cart and were necessary as
safe resting places. It is also thought that ambalamas were
meeting places for the local villagers but it seems that they
attracted a cosmopolitan crowd as well. Ancient Sinhalese
literature records the activities there—“some of them relate
the stories of Rama and Sita. Some recite poetry in contest
with each other. Amongst them are those who commit to
memory songs of praise produced in honor of the reigning
king. Foreigners coming from countries such as Cola, Pandya,
Gujarat, Tulu coutry, Maharastra, Andhra and Vanga learn the
teachings of the Buddha in Sinhalese and recite it. Some
challenge each other in solving riddles.” (www.lankalibrary.com)
Two famous ambalamas are found near Narammala, under the
authority of the Department of Archeology. The
Karagahagedara Ambalama sits on a flat stretch of rock by the
side of the road with paddy fields and a patch of scrub jungle
on either side. Made entirely of timber, it sits on four large
rocks.
Carved rafters of the Panavitiya Ambalama
The two ambalamas at Narammala are a comfortable dayexcursion from HPH and if we have an indication of interest in
advance of a guest’s arrival we could make the necessary
arrangements for them to experience these unique buildings of
cultural and architectural interest.
HPH rated as Best Home Stay for 2013.
HPH recommended in the
Bradt Travel Guide for Sri Lanka
5th edition, 2014
HPH is highly recommended on Trip Advisor.
See what our previous guests have had to say!
We are also on Facebook & Airbnb
Sri Lanka – rated as a top tourist destination for
2011, 2012 & 2013.
The Lonely Planet
Condé Nast Traveller
The New York Times
National Geographic
Karagahagedara Ambalama
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
For information or to book your accommodation, check our website www.halgollaplantationhome.com or
contact Emil van der Poorten: [email protected] or by phone: 94-77-347-0702 or 94-72-284-9770